Roodepoort International Eisteddfod’s

legacy secured by donation to

SAMRO

 

The Roodepoort International Eisteddfod of South Africa (RIESA) handed over a cheque of R700, 000 to the SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts (SENA) for the establishment of an undergraduate bursary for music performance studies.

 

RIESA, a non-profit organisation which for many years organised the annual Eisteddfod in Roodepoort and surrounding areas, recently deregistered as a section 21 company - drawing to a close an important cultural project that had its roots in the early 80s. RIESA had a long history of association with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and its chairman, Ms Annette Emdon. It was for this reason that its Board of Directors felt confident that the SENA was the appropriate institution to keep the legacy left by the founders and work of RIESA alive.

 

At a handover ceremony at SAMRO Place in Braamfontein recently, SAMRO CEO, Mr. Nick Motsatse, said: “The Eisteddfod was founded on the vision of promoting peace and education among all cultures of the world through music and the arts – and we are proud to be the custodians of keeping that legacy alive through the RIESA bursaries.” He expressed appreciation for RIESA’s initiative to bring diverse cultures together and, through this endeavor, advocate peaceful interaction. Motsatse stated that SAMRO would undertake to make effective use of the funds for the furtherance of musical performance studies and extended heartfelt thanks to the RIESA board and members for the donation.

 

The interest from the R700 000 investment will be used on an ongoing basis to fund undergraduate bursaries for music performance studies, adding to a slate of bursaries that are managed by SAMRO’s Endowment for the National Arts (SENA). A minimum of two bursaries per year for study in music performance will be granted in the Traditional (folk), Jazz and Western Art music genres. If there are no suitable candidates in a particular year, the bursaries will be carried over to the following year.    

 

Chairman of the SAMRO Board, Ms Annette Emdon, spoke about the longstanding relationship between SAMRO and RIESA, and reminisced about her personal involvement with the organisation. 

 

Handing over the cheque, current RIESA chairman, Mr. Joe le Roux stated, “We have had a long history of association with SAMRO. The organisation is well-run and well-regarded and it will ensure that RIESA will continue to allow music and the arts to flourish in South Africa, even though we ourselves are coming to an end.”

 

Le Roux said he and the RIESA board were “confident that SAMRO will manage this very important legacy, true to RIESA’s founding vision”.

 

Inspired by the world-famous Welsh Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – which has run since 1946 – RIESA was created by English-expatriate, the late Keith Henry Fleming, in 1980, with the aim of staging an international eisteddfod event in South Africa bi-annually.

 

Inaugurated in October 1981, a further eight events were staged every second year with the ninth and final event taking place in 1997. Financial and infrastructure support from the Roodepoort City Council ended at that time, following the amalgamation of all local councils in the greater Johannesburg region into one metropolitan council.

 

“From the time it started to the last event, RIESA stood out as unique in that it invited only amateur soloists and groups of very high standing to participate,” Le Roux stated. “This meant that it was not a gathering of predominantly commercial and popular artists like many festivals of today.  Rather, it provided an awe-inspiring opportunity to classical soloists, orchestras, instrumental groups, choirs, bands, folk dancers, folk musicians, folk orchestras, folk singers, and folk dance ensembles to perform merely for the love of their art and to share their cultural heritage with all other participants and audiences.”

 

About the participating organisations

 

SENA

SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts is the Corporate Social Investment arm of SAMRO. It has invested in the value of music since 1962 through granting bursaries, scholarships and music sponsorships. Other funds administered by SENA on behalf of donors and bequests are the Eve Gettleson String Study Award, the Ralph Trewhela Bequest, the Esme Webb Bequest, the Maisie Flink Award, the Fisher Award, the Noasa Vocal Study and Opsa Opera Training Award and the Bonhams Instrumental Music Study Awards.      It houses the SAMRO Music Archive with a huge collection of music scores of South African composers.

 

RIESA

The Roodepoort International Eisteddfod of South Africa (RIESA) was started in October 1981. A further eight events were staged every second year with the ninth and final event taking place in 1997. It was inspired by the world-famous Welsh Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and has now been deregistered as a section 21 company.

 

SAMRO

Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) was established in 1961 with the objective to protect the intellectual property of composers and authors, as well as to ensure that composers and author’s talents are protected both locally and internationally for music usage. The organisation is the primary representative of music performing rights in Southern Africa, as well as representing Mechanical Rights and Needletime Rights